Do you worry about asthma, haze and city air pollution?

Updated on 4th July 2017 by Jessamy Smit|

Did you know that there’s a direct correlation between a rise in the temperature of your exhaled breath and respiratory diseases like asthma and influenza? Yep, and with the recurring haze situation in Singapore as well as pollen and viruses that do the rounds, the recent launch of the first breath thermometer, the patented X-halo, makes sense.

With a simple breath measurement, X-halo gives you early warning (up to 48 hours) of inflammation in the lungs caused by air pollution, haze, pollen or influenza.

Used by hospitals worldwide and tested on more than 10,000 patients, the X-halo ($199 from x-halo.com/home) is the result of 10 years of clinical research and a revolutionary new way to measure both adults’ and children’s temperatures in the management of the long-term respiratory health of the entire family. No prescription necessary!

So, how does it work?

With a simple breath measurement, X-halo gives you early warning (up to 48 hours) of inflammation in the lungs caused by air pollution, haze, pollen or influenza. Just download the app and connect the device to your phone, then inhale through your nose and exhale in the device in one deep breath. Results show up on your phone and the data is stored, allowing you to track your temperature over time.

Not just for asthma sufferers

While we can literally hear asthmatics and parents of asthmatic children breathing a huge sigh of relief, it’s not only asthma sufferers who should keep the device handy. Here are four groups of people who would benefit from adding an X-halo to their first aid cabinet for peace of mind:

Asthmatics: Airway inflammation occurs in all asthma attacks but did you know that in 3 out of 4 cases, the inflammation in the lungs can begin to develop unnoticed up to 48 hours before the actual attack? A daily X-halo test will spot the associated rise in exhaled breath temperature, so you can increase your medication ahead of time and manage the condition effectively from home.

Children aged four and above who suffer from regular respiratory problems: Because young lungs are still developing, children are most at risk of air pollution. Common symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Keep on top of your little one’s health with frequent X-halo checks and head to the GP ahead of time if they’re in the red zone (indicating inflammation) for more than 48 hours or experiencing symptoms.

Sportsmen and women: If you spend plenty of time outdoors and are concerned about the effects of air pollution on your lungs and respiratory capacity, monitor this with an X-halo.

Anyone who wants to track the health of their lungson a a regular basis or be one step ahead of a bout of flu 24-48 hours before symptoms even start. The average adult breathes up to 20,000 litres of air every day so it’s not surprising that fine particles caused by polluted air can easily enter the lungs and cause airway inflammation. Asthmatic or not, if you’re planning on travelling somewhere with high air pollution levels or the dreaded haze returns to Singapore, a quick two-minute X-halo test will tell you how your lungs are faring. Forearmed is forewarned!